Cincinnati Redlegs Team History
Redlegs Time
In April 1953, the Reds, fearing that their traditional club nickname would associate them with the threat of Communism, officially changed the name of the team to the “Cincinnati Redlegs”. From 1956 to 1960, the club’s logo was altered to remove the term “REDS” from the inside of the “wishbone C” symbol. The “REDS” reappeared on the 1961 uniforms, but the point of the C was removed, leaving a smooth, non-wishbone curve. The traditional home-uniform logo was restored in 1967.
In 1953 when the association of the term “Reds” with communism caused the Reds to change their name to the “Redlegs” in order to avoid the social stigma. For a four year stretch from 1956 – 1960, the name “Reds” was removed from the team’s logo and no longer appeared on the team’s uniforms. Despite the continued use of the changed logo, the name “Cincinnati Reds” was restored after the 1958 season.
Established
1882
City
Cincinnati
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1890 – 1999 / National League
1882 – 1889 / American Association
Team History
1958 – Present / Cincinnati Reds
1953 – 1958 / Cincinnati Redlegs
1890 – 1953 / Cincinnati Reds
1882 – 1889 / Cincinnati Red Stockings
Nickname
Redlegs – The term “Reds” in the political arena had long been a synonym for “Communist”. During the McCarthy era, even though there was no connection between professional baseball and Communism, the team was concerned that their traditional club nickname would associate them with the Communist Threat and the Cold War, so they officially changed their name to the “Cincinnati Redlegs.”
Championship
World Series 0
1990, 1976, 1975, 1940, 1919
Stadium
2003 – Present / Great American Ball Park
1997 – 2002 / Riverfront Stadium
1996 – 2002 / Cinergy Field
1912 – 1970 / Crosley Field
1912 – 1934 / Redland Field
1902 – 1911 / Palace of the Fans
1894 – 1901 / League Park II
1890 – 1893 / League Park I
1884 – 1889 / American Park
1882 – 1883 / Bank Street Grounds
Owner
2006 – Present / Robert Castellini
1998 – 2006 / Carl Lindner, Jr.
1984 – 1998 / Marge Schott
1980 – 1984 / William & James Williams
1973 – 1980 / Louis Nippert
1967 – 1973 / Francis L. Dale
1961 – 1967 / Bill DeWitt
1933 – 1961 / Powel Crosley, Jr.
1929 – 1933 / Sidney Weil
1927 – 1929 / C. J. McDiarmid
1902 – 1927 / August Herrmann
1890 – 1902 / John T. Brush
1882 – 1890 / Justus Thorner
Retired Number
1 Fred Hutchinson
5 Johnny Bench
8 Joe Morgan
10 Sparky Anderson
11 Barry Larkin
13 Dave Concepción
14 Pete Rose
18 Ted Kluszewski
20 Frank Robinson
24 Tony Pérez
42 Jackie Robinson
Mascot
2007 – Present / Mr. Redlegs
2002 – Present / Gapper
*Blue is this team’s history